Kelantan Fire Dept Prepares Continuity Plan To Keep Stations Operating During Floods

KOTA BHARU, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) in Kelantan has drawn up a service continuity plan to ensure firefighting and rescue operations continue uninterrupted if stations are flooded during the 2026/2027 Northeast Monsoon.

State JBPM director Farhan Sufyan Borhan said the plan allows operations to continue by relocating personnel and assets to identified alternative sites that will serve as coordination centres for firefighting services.

He said the plan took into account the 2014 floods that affected the Kuala Krai Fire and Rescue Station and the 2024 floods that hit the Rantau Panjang Fire and Rescue Station.

"This plan covers not only the Rantau Panjang and Kuala Krai stations but also the possibility of similar incidents at other stations, as flood conditions are difficult to predict," he told Bernama recently.

He said the service continuity plan was introduced last year to ensure every affected fire station can still function and provide emergency services.

On rescue operations in interior areas at risk of being cut off by floods, he said the department has identified high-risk locations, particularly in Gua Musang and Lojing, to plan early action if land routes become impassable.

He said the planning involves discussions and joint exercises with other rescue and response agencies to coordinate efforts if residents are trapped or need to be evacuated.

"We have identified locations likely to be flooded and cut off, including safer temporary relief centres. Relief supplies have also been stocked at these centres to meet residents' needs," he said.

Farhan Sufyan said JBPM can deploy helicopters for rescue operations or to evacuate victims from areas inaccessible by road.

He said the planning and coordination also ensures residents in risk-prone areas know where to go if floods cut off access to their settlements.

-- BERNAMA